Stabilizing-gyroscope



Patented N ov. 9, 1920.

E. A. SPERBY. STABILIZING GYROSCOPE.

APPLlc/monmsp nec.2. 1915.

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ELMER A. SPERRY, OF ,BROOKLYN, NW YORK,

COMPANY, OF BROOKLYNVNEW YORK,

AVSSIGNOR T THE SPERRY GYROSCOPE A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

STABILIZIN'G-GYROSCOPE.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ELMER A. SrERRY, citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Brooklyn borough, city. and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Stabilizing-Gyroscopes,of which the following is a specifi cation.

.art that my invention is .This invention relates to structural de.tails of large gyroscopes and especially to a novel form of bearingadapted forthe heavy rotors of gyroscopes used in stabilizing largeships and in means for damage' to the same. Such rotors weigh as much as60,000 pounds, run at high Speeds and possess an enormous amount ofinertia. The provision 4of suitable bearings and the proper lubricationthereof, presents an unusual problem, since the stabilizing moment isexerted through the journals and bearings. Moreover this pressure isextremely variable, occurring first in one direction and then in theother, so that very severe operating conditions are imposed.

kThe cooling and lubricating features of' my invention althoughdisclosedin this application are not claimed herein, but have been madethe subject of a divisional ap lication filed September 14, 1917, Serialo. 191,329.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the uses, than the specific useindicated above,

so I Wish it to be understood that I do not regard my invention aslimited to the art of gyroscopes. 0

Referrin to the drawings in which what I now consider to be thepreferred form of my invention is shown, Figure 1.' is an elevation,partly in sectiomof a portion ofa stabilizing gyroscope. Fig. 2. is 'asection on broken line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is an enlarged crosssection of a portion of the journal showing the babbitted part of thebearing. Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the adjusting means for the springsupporting one portion of the journa j .j

Fig 6 is a longitudinal section of the babbitt or other linin of thebearing on line 6`6 Fig. 3. F ig is a* detail of the bear 1n gi portionof the casing of a horizontal gyroscope is shownat 1. built up insections, comprising a pair of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application 'filed December 2, 1915. Serial No. 64,616.

preventing V entire gyroscopicr subjects of this adapted for` otherlAhad resulted in `the anti-friction vportion of the It is preferablyPatented Nov. 9, 1920.

similar conical end part circular central and 67 being bolted gether at68.

portion 51, the parts 67 or otherwise secured to- The two parts 67, 67are pro-l -vided with cylindrical extensions 69, 70

ings are designed to take up the workingv stresses of the gyroscopewithout regard` to the 'friction created, as friction about the verticalaxis is not an undesirable feature. The heat created is readilydissipated by making journals 69 and 70 hollow and of ample size. Theinterior of central parts 67 67 =is preferably provided with ribs orfianges 40, so that they,have a U ycross section which is well adaptedto withstand the severe bending stresses applied thereto throughgyroscopic reaction. Ribs 40`also act as Wind shields for the rotor sothat only a small portion of the air remaining in casing '1, after it isexhausted, isset in motion by the wheel. The weight of the entiregyroscope is supported on an adjustable thrust aring 4.

The rotor 50 is mounted on shaft 5,l which is journaled in frame 1,which forms one of the invention. attempts to use standard principalfter many forms` ofbearings for the both of the anti-friction andordinary types, failure, it was found that type was impracticable onaccount of the heavy Working loads while the chief cause of trouble withthe ordinary type seemed to occur while the rotor was being started. Itwas found that when the rotor was atrest, the journal would become dryand that when it was started a large bearing metal would be groundv out.As soon as the rotor had picked up speed, the trouble ceased as thelubrication thenbecame perfect. To overcome these difficulties, I preferto construct this bearing in two or more distinct parts.

Portiony 6, which may be .termed the main portions 66 and a two' thenovel`form of bearin in portion 10 of said bearing-is l hung from thecasing bymeans nut 14 so that bearing weight of the rotor, leaving themain bearing toabsorb the working loads described above. Bearing 10 isof the anti-friction type, being shown as a ball bearing which isresiliently and universally supported from casing 1, as by a strap orcables 11 of one or more strong springs 12. Strap 11 may have one endsecured to a washer or nut 13 universally mounted on casing 1, 4whilethe other end is provided with a nut 14 threadedon the end of the strap.Nut 14 bears against anti-friction washers 15, which rest on a plate 16against which spring 12'has its seat. The lower end of thel spring bearsagainst some form of bearing block 17 resting on casing 1. The tensionof spring 12 may be accurately adjusted by rmeans of 10 may support thefull weight of the rotor and no more. Indicating means are preferably'provided on nut 14, which mayconsist of a thin disk 18 which isreadable on verticall aduations 19 on reduced extension 20 o strap 11.Disk 18 is also preferably provided with circular gra'duations 21readable upon an index line'22 on stem 20, whereby a micrometeradjustment is obtained.

The inner ring 60 of the bearing, forming the inner race may be securelymounted on` shaft 5 by driving ory forcing it onfa tapered portion 61 ofsaid shaft. A nut 62 may be used both to force it on and holdit inplace.

In addition to the two radial bearings 6 and 10 a thrust bearing 34 isemployed to.

take up the end thrustof the rotor, which is 4 caused primarily bytherolling of the ship. I prefer 'to construct this bearing so as toabsorb thrust in both directions, as by the two universally mounted ballbearings 6 3, 64 placed on oppositesides of' the collar 65 on shaft 5..

On account of the heavy loads imposed on bearing 6, I refer to provide aspecial oilin and cooling4 system therefor The babbitt is firmly securedto ring 6, preferably by double dove tails 25, 26 extending at an angleto each other. The babbitt is provided with a plurality of axiallyextending apertures or grooves 27, 28. tures 27 serve to supply thebearing with oil, which is forced or flows into said apertures from'right to left in Figs. 1 and 6, that is `from receptacle 30 along theshaft and into receptacle 31, Grooves 27 are so designed that the oilcannot escape directly therefrom to receptacle 31 Without flowing alongand around shaft 5. This is preferably accomplished by v/making theapertures tapering inwardly as shown in Fig, 6. Another feature is thatthe grooves 27 have Va circumferentially extending cut-away portionwhich aids the journal in carrying the oil around with it. The otherapertures 28 serve to scrape the used oil and pulverized The aperandcasing bearing metal from the journal and to lead this material intoreceptacle 30. They are designed so that the oil will run therefrom intobasin sitely to grooves 27.

As the main stresses. due to gyroscopic reaction are lateral, I preferto locate aper.

tures 27 on opposite sides of the bearing.

II also prefer to provideartificial cooling means for' the bearing,suchv as pipes or apertures 32, which extend through the babbitt,furnishing a plurality of passages for Ia cooling. fluid. Inl theembodiment shown the lubricating oil is, caused to-low through saidpassages. In order to cause a positive circulation of the oil, a )pump33 is provided, which draws oil from the basin 31 through strainer 80and pumps it into receptacle 30, through the thrust bearing 34. Coolingmeans, such as ribs 35 may be located on the pipes connecting the pumpwith the oil wells. Means may be provided to regulate the flow of coolinfluid through pipes 32. I have shown for t is purpose an annulary platel76 (Fig. 7) provided with saw-tooth incisions 7 7 adapted to be broughtinto and out ends of pipes 32. A handle 78 extends from plate 76 withoutvthe casing 1 for manipu` lating the plate.

I also prefer to equip the gyroscope with some form of powerful brake,so that in case one of the bearings should fail, the rotor may bebrought to a stop quickly, before the bearing and shaft are bothruined.`In dealinglwith rotors of such high moments of inertia, a diilicultproblem was presented to destroy vthis tremendous energy in al shorttime and at the same time not to develop scribed above, I provide a pipe41, which 31, as by tapering them oppo-l of register with the ioo leadsto a reservoir 42 adapted to be filled Y' with oil or other liquid, from-withoutJ case 1 through a pipe 43 normally closed by cap 44. Reservoir42 may be entirely closed except for pipes 41 and 43 and a vent 45, toallow the ready-out-flow vof theoil 4on the turning of cock 46 in pipe41. When it is desired to brake the rotor, all that need be done is toturn said cock, when the oilfwill quickly fill the, space betweenflanges 40 1 and the-rotor, around its entire periphery. Such a film ofoil is found to act as an exceedingly powerful and effective brake,which will not overheat.

The operation of my invention is as follows: As the rotor is beingstarted, the entire load is taken by the antisfriction bea-ring 10as thegyroscopic moment does not ,arise until the rotor has attained anappreprevented by the cooling pipes .32, the extent of the cooling beingregulated by plate 76. When the ship rolls or tends to roll, a powerfultorque is exerted on journals 69, 7 0. This torque is transmitted to therotor through the channel sections 67, 67', conical ends 66,v andbearings 6. According to the law of gyroscopes, this torque will causethe gyroscope to turn or precess in bearings 2, 3 and to exert apowerful gyroscopic moment which opposes the rolling of the ship throughthe medium olf bearing 6, casing 1 and journals 69, 70. If the bearingsor other parts of the gyroscope should break, the rotor maybe quicklybrought to a stop by turning cock 46, as explained.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statues, I have hereindescribed the principle of operation of my invention, togeither with theapparatus, which I now cons1 er thereof, but I desire to have itunderstood is only illustrative and that the 'invention canI be carriedout by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the variousfeatures and elements .in the combination and relations described, somethat the apparatus shown of these maybe altered 'and othes omitted withthe general results without interfering vention extends to suchoutlined, and the i use.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent'is: l j

1. The combination with a gyroscopic rotor and a journal frame therefor,of a main bearing and an auxiliary bearing for saidrotor, one of saidbearings being of the anti-friction type.

2. The combination with a gyroscopic rotor and a journal frame therefor,of a' main bearing and an auxiliary bearing for said rotor, each ofsaidbearings being universally mounted upon said frame.`

3. T e combination. with a gyroscopic rotor and a journal frametherefor, of a main bearing and an auxiliary bearing for said rotor, andmeans whereby the relative loads taken by be adjusted. v

4. The combinationV with. a gyroscopic Arotor and a journal frametherefor, of a main bearingand an auxiliary bearing for said rotor, oneof said bearings being resiliently supported upon the frame.

5. The` combination withr a gyroscopic rotor and a journal frametherefor, of a main bearing and an auxiliary bearing for said rotor, oneof said'bearingsbeing of the anti-friction type and resilientlysupported upon the frame.

6. The combination with a gyroscopic rotor and a journal frame therefor,of a main bearing, adapted to take up the working stresses of the rotorand an auxiliary to represent the Jbest embodimentl the two bearingsmay,

bearing adapted to of the rotor.

7. The combination with a gyroscope, of a journal frame therefor, anauxiliary bearing Ifor the rotor, and resilient means for supportingsaid bearing from saidl frame.,

y8. The combination with a gyroscope, of a journal frame therefor, anauxiliary bearing for the rotor, and adjustable means for support-ingsaid bearing from saidI frame.

9. The combination with a shaft, of a bearing therefor comprising aresiliently supported part adapted to take the dead load on the shaftand a second part for receiving the working loads.

10. A means for preventing the scoring of a bearing before the oil hasfully lubricated it comprising an auxiliary anti-friction bearing andmeans for supporting said bearing whereby said bearing receives only apredetermined portion of the load.

11.- In a gyroscope, a rotor, a casing and bearings therefor, a supplyof fluid under control, and means for flooding that portion of thecasing adjacent said rotor with said iluidto apply a fluid brake.

12. In a gyroscope a rotor, a casing having side flanges closelysurrounding the periphery and faces of said rotor, a supply 4of fluid,and means whereby that portion of the casing adjacent the rotor may beflooded with said fluid in contact with the rotor, to brake the same.

13. In a gyroscopic a paratus the combination with a rotor and saidrotor, of means for brakin said rotor comprising a supply of fluid anmeans con- 'trolled from without said casing for releasing said fluidwithin the casing.

14. In 2a gyroscopic apparatus the com bination/with a rotor and acasino' inclosing said rotor, of means for braking lsaid rotorcomprising la supply of fluid within the casing and means controlledfrom without said casing for releasing said fluid within the casing.'

15. In a stabilizing gyroscope, a casing comprising a central memberhaving a channel section, a precession journal on said member, a pair ofconical end plates, and a bearing for the rotor adjacentthe lapex ofeach cone.

16. An auxiliary anti-friction bearingfor gyroscopes comprising an innerrace adapted to be forced on a tapered portion of the rotor shaft,rolling elements, and an outer race universallysupported from a fixedIportion of the gyroscope.

1 7. In a gyroscope, detachable members tion surrounding said rotor toreducev the clearance on both sides of the rotor, a pair of end plates,one detachably secured to each of the opposlte sides of said membersadja'- support the ldead load a casing inclosing' a rotor, a pluralityof' of U-shaped cross-sec- 19. In a gyroscopic apparatus, a rotor, a p

journal frame therefor, radial bearings for said rotor, and a thrustbearing adjacent one end of the rotor shaft adapted to receive endthrust in both directions. i

20. In a gyroscopic apparatus, a rotor, a journal frame therefor,`radial bearings for said rotor, and a universally supported thrustbearing adjacent one end of the rotor shaft adapted to receive endthrust in both directions.

2l. A stabilizing gyroscope for ships comprising a rotor positioned'with its s inning axis horizontal, a bearing frame Ior therotor,aplurality of vertical universal radial bearings for securing said frameto the ship and a universally supported thrust bearing for supportingthe weight of the gyroscope.

22. A stabilizing 'gyroscope forships comprising a rotor posltioned withits spinning axis horlzontal, a bearing 'frame for the rotor, aplurality of vertical universal radial l bearings for securing saidframel to the ship and an adjustable thrust bearing for supporting theweight of the gyroscope.

i 1 fr I 23. In combination, a rotating element, a shaft supporting saidrotating element, a

bearing for taking up the force exerted by said shaft in one directionperpendicular to the axis of said shaft and a second bearing for takingup the force exerted by said shaft in a direction perpendicular to saidshaft but at an angle to said iirst mentioned direction.

24. In a gyroscope, a rotating element, a casing inclosin the same andmeans for changing the speed of said rotating element by changing themedium between said rotating elementJ and said casing.

25. In a gyroscope, the combination with a rotor, an annular membersurrounding the -same and forming the central member of the gyroscopecasing, means inside of said member and extending on eachfside of" therotor rim for reducing clearance, and a pair of conical bearing memberssecured to either side of said'annular member.

l 26'. In a gyroscope, the combination with a rotor, an annular membersurrounding the same an forming the central member of the gyroscopecasing, means inside of said member and extending on each side of therotor rim for reducing clearance, a pair of conical bearing memberssecured to either side4 of said annular member, a support for saidcasing, and pivotal means extending between said support and saidannular member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this22nd day of November 1915.

' ELMER A. SPERRY. l

